Think Out of the Box

I recently purchased the Infantino Sling Rider Baby/Sling/Wrap. My purpose was a bit different than what the company had in mind but I will get to that shortly.

As a baby carrier I was really rather impressed with the take an old concept and build a better mousetrap theory in this product. The sling/papoose style carrier idea has been in evidence for centuries. Many cultures have embraced this form of keeping hands free while transporting their baby. This takes that concept and improves on it.

This new design provides wide, quilted, padded shoulder straps, adjustable buckles (excellent idea for someone who is short , I'm 5' 1"). It's washable cotton denim with elastic edges. I'm washing mine in cold water and line drying it. Inside there are velcro and terry cloth security pads with a lap strap to keep your baby securely in place. The Infantino is designed for babies newborn to 20 lbs. It's meant to be worn as a hands free front carrier

By nesting the baby close to your body, it's meant to create a close safe environment, a feeling of security for the baby. The colors I've seen it in are black, denim, light blue and gray. Mine is candy striped inside and on the edges in blues, greens and navy. I've seen a paisley lining as well.

I also was familiar with it because my daughter had a colicky baby and this was the item she used to calm him. The closeness and the gentle rocking when you walk with the baby in the Infantino on seemed to do the trick for him.

I purchased this because I adopted an extremely emotionally fragile, needy Chihuahua from a Shelter. This dog would shake out of his skin. He needed me to hold him, close to me, a lot. When I saw the Infantino Baby sling the light bulb went on. I remembered my daughters experience with it and felt it would be just the thing to solve my dog issues. This was the perfect product for him. It's a little nest for him. He hunkers down in it when I'm in a store and is calm and happy. The effect it had on my grandson worked for this nervous dog as well. I also like the added bonus of keeping him somewhat hidden which I feel would be great for a baby as well.

Though I used it for a slightly different purpose then the one it was marketed for, I know, from my daughters experience, that this carrier definatley worked well as far as comfort, security and that calming effect goes.

The weight of the baby (or dog) does get heavy on your shoulder after an hour or so. I just move it around a bit and that helps.

The only thing I might add to the design is at least one small pocket up on the strap area for a pacifier, or small items perhaps you could avoid carrying a purse as well.